Coming out of storage

MikeM · Mar 14, 2015

So here I am with 2 bikes that have wet sumped over the winter. The Commando and my HD Fatboy.
Is there any reason to think there would be damage to change the oil and leave the oil tanks empty over the winter?
Spring comes and just fill the tanks. Just a thought.
Started the HD today and the oil tank was empty. No way to drain the crankcase on that one. Cant be good for it.

Hobot · Mar 15, 2015

Oh My Goodness its not considered good form to mention the two H-brands in same breath as Commando and its dang insulting to hang the dirty family laundry out in public. They musta built better men and machines long ago as some or them could go leagues w/o a pump to the head oiler and the ball bearings barely missted by conservative splashing of total loss systems. Ya know statring an oil tank empty wet sumped Norton is a total loss situation so why would it be different in its kissing cusion. Hope can ya read between my lines with the tree's blooming soon. Oh yeah ZADP is susposed to earn its keep in this situation so why wouldn't it?

Old Scratcher · Mar 15, 2015

I'm relatively new here, but I'm already picking up that esteemed member hobot speaks somewhat cryptically. & despite his attempts to trivialise his input, it's not escaped my attention that some very valuable information is often buried inside his cryptic code. So I was wondering if he'd be good enough to provide a glossary of terms & references to his impressive literary lexicon. So Johnny-come-lateley's, like me, can make best use of his valuable knowledge.

drones76 · Mar 15, 2015

Old Scratcher said:
I'm relatively new here, but I'm already picking up that esteemed member hobot speaks somewhat cryptically. & despite his attempts to trivialise his input, it's not escaped my attention that some very valuable information is often buried inside his cryptic code. So I was wondering if he'd be good enough to provide a glossary of terms & references to his impressive literary lexicon. So Johnny-come-lateley's, like me, can make best use of his valuable knowledge.

The Glossary and Index of Hobot terms is available in the for sale section for a nominal fee. Beware that you will also have to purchase a decoder ring to make sense of that.

gjr · Mar 15, 2015

As long as you NEVER forget to add the oil in the spring, it would be the same as a bike that never wet sumped, except the oil tank would be empty over the winter. No Problem. If you do forget, disaster.

Shouldn't the oil tank on your Harley have some oil in it before you try to start it ? Seems like the pump and the rest of the motor would run dry until the oil got recirculated.

Greg

Roadrash · Mar 15, 2015

MikeM said:
So here I am with 2 bikes that have wet sumped over the winter. The Commando and my HD Fatboy.
Is there any reason to think there would be damage to change the oil and leave the oil tanks empty over the winter?
Spring comes and just fill the tanks. Just a thought.
Started the HD today and the oil tank was empty. No way to drain the crankcase on that one. Cant be good for it.

That is fine to do. Put some tape on the throttle with the word "OIL" on it for a reminder to replace it before riding. I had a Fat Boy back in the 90's. Loved the bike, not much for the Harley culture, Most were posers :wink:

MikeM · Mar 15, 2015

Seems to me to be the sensible thing to do. The wet sump is an achilles heel in both brands apparently. I am not keen to tear into either one at this time if a simple solution will work. Sincere apologies to Hobot for mentioning "the other one" it just seems to have the same issue.
Next fall, I will change the oil and leave the tank empty til spring and red flag the handle bars.
I do have a newly rebuilt front wheel for the Commando I am polishing up and getting ready to install. New brakes, tire,tube and packed bearings. Finally all the safety stuff has been gone through.

zotz · Mar 15, 2015

hobot said:
Oh My Goodness its not considered good form to mention the two H-brands in same breath as Commando and its dang insulting to hang the dirty family laundry out in public.

Ya, who knows what could happen?

MikeM · Mar 15, 2015

zotz said:
hobot said:

Oh My Goodness its not considered good form to mention the two H-brands in same breath as Commando and its dang insulting to hang the dirty family laundry out in public.

Click to expand...

Ya, who knows what could happen?

What is going on there?

worntorn · Mar 15, 2015

Roadrash said:
MikeM said:

So here I am with 2 bikes that have wet sumped over the winter. The Commando and my HD Fatboy.
Is there any reason to think there would be damage to change the oil and leave the oil tanks empty over the winter?
Spring comes and just fill the tanks. Just a thought.
Started the HD today and the oil tank was empty. No way to drain the crankcase on that one. Cant be good for it.

Click to expand...

That is fine to do. Put some tape on the throttle with the word "OIL" on it for a reminder to replace it before riding. I had a Fat Boy back in the 90's. Loved the bike, not much for the Harley culture, Most were posers :wink:

Before fitting foolproof antisump valves last fall, I did this for several years with a couple of bikes that liked to fill their sumps then leak oil all winter. Just pulled the plug wires off and taped a NO OIL! note on the seat to be doubly sure

Glen

Hobot · Mar 15, 2015

What a great image for a tatoo to combine & confuse the family traits and traitors.

Real issue is if hand grips are above or below level of instrument faces.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=ha ... %20sumping.

johnm · Mar 16, 2015

Before starting a bike left in storage remove the tappet covers and pour oil over the tappets and down the push rod tubes to cover the camshaft.

About a couple of egg cup fulls is enough. (After draining the sumop and replacing the drain plug.)

Also I change the oil filter if fitted.

Bernhard · Mar 16, 2015

MikeM said:
So here I am with 2 bikes that have wet sumped over the winter. The Commando and my HD Fatboy.
Is there any reason to think there would be damage to change the oil and leave the oil tanks empty over the winter?
Spring comes and just fill the tanks. Just a thought.
Started the HD today and the oil tank was empty. No way to drain the crankcase on that one. Cant be good for it.

Drain oil on Norton and put NEW fresh oil in tank and do as johnm says.
Re H/D; obtain a large injection syringe and extract oil from crankcase oil fill hole-where there’s a will, there is a way :!:

Deets55 · Mar 16, 2015

This works pretty well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/oil-suction-gun-95468.html

Pete

Towner · Mar 16, 2015

Hi,

I always drain the oil for winter. Additionally I remove the fuse and attach a note "No Oil".

Ralf

Coming out of storage

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